AWA acquires the domain name company Dotkeeper

Sweden’s largest intellectual property firm AWA (former Awapatent) acquires the domain name company Dotkeeper to have a combined offer within the growing field of trademarks, domain names and digital IP.

The two companies have been partners since 2016 and their joint offer has been received very well by the market. Both companies have a clear focus on the clients’ businesses and on strategy. The acquisition will be made in two steps; now and in 3–5 years. Dotkeeper will remain as legal entity and brand.

“I am really happy to join forces with Dotkeeper through this acquisition. They are an excellent addition to our offer but also as colleagues,” says Magnus Hallin, CEO at AWA. “Together we will develop our digital services and our new digital client platform. This will strengthen our client offer in many ways.”

“We are very proud of this deal. AWA is a renowned and highly competent firm. Dotkeeper was started because we wanted to offer the best domain names services on the market, and thanks to an increased collaboration with AWA, we can take this a step further and deliver even more value in a broader way. We complete each other perfectly,” says Hjalmar Antonsson, CEO at Dotkeeper.

In connection with the acquisition, Magnus Hallin will take over as chairman of Dotkeeper AB’s board. Apart from that, Dotkeeper’s management and team will remain.

AWA is a leading intellectual property (IP) firm with presence in Europe and Asia. Our clients are innovation-intensive companies, ranging from startups to owners of the world’s most well-known brands and patent portfolios. We help them turn their ideas and innovations into business opportunities.

Our 180 patent attorneys, attorneys-at-law and other IP professionals are experts in IP strategy and legal services as well as patents, trademark, design, and copyright.

AWA was founded in 1897 and has 300 employees at 15 offices in Sweden, Denmark, China, and Hong Kong, along with representative offices in Germany and the USA. In 2017 we reported sales of EUR 68.5 million.

Dotkeeper was started in 2013 and is a domain-management company that protects, administers and develops digital assets. Among our customers are well-known brands, global organisations and exciting startups that value their digital presence.

In 2014 Dotkeeper won the Venture Cup Syd in the Web, Media and Software category, and in 2015 we were awarded the Connect Syd’s prize for best springboard company.

Dotkeeper currently has 11 employees at offices in Malmö, Stockholm and Gothenburg. Our turnover in 2017 was SEK 9.1 million.